http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081122/ap_on_re_us/hunter_s_bullet_day_care;_ylt=Ag6e4u2ip7zZPGtmqnBC Jxis0NUE

That also serves as a reminder that rifle bullets carry much farther than what you can see, and that you need to know what lies beyond what you're shooting at.

You can't always know whats beyond your target, from where you shoot on into infinity. What I mean is there a certain distance that you just don't know. I live 60 miles out of STL and if I shoot in the general direction I'm sure somewhere theres a school in line with my shot, whether its 60 miles or 600 miles away. High powered rifles are inherently dangerous and this is a prime example of the danger that we assume when we decide to use them. Maybe they need to hunt only with frangible bullets. I hate to think about more regulation , but I hate to think about this kind of accident happening. Thank the GOOD Lord in Heaven that the out come was not much worse. A friend of mine was sitting in his office and the light on his desk exploded and his finger started burning. He thought the light bulb shorted out and exploded. It was a young man who was sighting in his high powered rifle 700- 800 yards away. The bullet went through the door and hit the lamp and hit him in the finger.

You normally only have to worry about 2 miles with small caliber rifles, but could be up to 5 with higher powered rifles.

What Dad always told us to to never fire a rifle into the air, and if you don't know what's beyond where you're aimed don't fire.

Dad was mowing one time when a tire suddenly went flat on his tractor. He found a .22 bullet inside.

For those of us who respect guns and the right to own them it means she needs to go back and learn basic firearm safety before going hunting again. We don't need more laws, but we do need gun owners to keep safety in mind at all times. (And no "sound shots" either!)

If you seriously expect hunters to know everything that is beyond any potential target, at any given time ,for up to five miles ,you might as well outlaw all rifle hunting east of the Rocky Mountains.:rolleyes:

Maps, Fun.

Pointing up at a raccoon the bullet's not going to travel far because of your trajectory, but at a 30 degree angle it's going to travel that distance. I'm not saying you have to know everything within the rifle's range, but you should know if a town is that direction. That is why populous areas like Illinois, Indiana, and the southern half of Michigan do not allow rifles for deer hunting. This accident took place in northern Michigan so a rifle would have been legal for hunting deer. Still, it's best to know what's immediately behind your target. 400 yards is nothing for a deer rifle.

Maps, Fun.

Pointing up at a raccoon the bullet's not going to travel far because of your trajectory, but at a 30 degree angle it's going to travel that distance. I'm not saying you have to know everything within the rifle's range, but you should know if a town is that direction. That is why populous areas like Illinois, Indiana, and the southern half of Michigan do not allow rifles for deer hunting. This accident took place in northern Michigan so a rifle would have been legal for hunting deer. Still, it's best to know what's immediately behind your target. 400 yards is nothing for a deer rifle.
sounds great here online.......:rolleyes:

The chances of this happening are 1 in a million, and it happened... I fear for Michigan after this. The MI gov and DNR are already making trouble up there, but I hope this does not have a bad effect on rifle hunting up there. We are preparing to buy 40+ acres with a house in the U.P. of MI this next year, and one big reason is because of the more relaxed laws up in MI. I would hate to hate to have the reins tighten up before I get to enjoy it!

A hunter should know what is beyond there hunting ground, but that is why the DNR of MI has set a distance that hunters must be from any buildings/houses while using a firearm for hunting. I believe it is set at 150 yards. As I said before, this is a 1 in a million chance of having this happen from 400 yards out in the woods...

Where in the UP Init? I've got kinfolk in a couple areas up there?

My aunt in Ontonagon has been griping for quite some time about the governor there. She sounds like Blago clone.

I agree 100 % Init... 400 yards doesnot seam like a long way but that all depends on the lay of the land. I can see for 400 yards pretty good here where I live but down in the hills its easy to get turned around. And lose your direction and distances..

I agree 100 % Init... 400 yards doesnot seam like a long way but that all depends on the lay of the land. I can see for 400 yards pretty good here where I live but down in the hills its easy to get turned around. And lose your direction and distances..

400 yards isn't too far, I was hunting today and was on top of a hill and could see clearly across a field and woods at least 400 yards no problem. This is also why I want land far away from any kind of town, less you have to worry about, but never hurts to have a good ariel map and a compass hunting so you have some idea where you are and where you're shooting.